# Band Watch: Leeds, England Indie Rock Quartet China Rats

- Link: https://indierockcafe.com/2013/06/band-watch-leeds-england-indie-rock-quartet-china-rats/
- Published: 2013-06-24T22:44:31-04:00
- Author: Max Hammer

**China Rats** are a four-piece indie rock band from **Leeds**, England, that the
U.K. press has been hailing as the next **Arctic Monkeys**, even though they haven’t
released a debut album yet. What they have released is a three-song EP and a single;
what little they have released is creating quite a buzz in the U.K. The young, edgy
lads of China Rats know how to write, create and record good music that gets people’s
attention. The band members are inspired by a mutual love for songs that use elements
of punk, rock, 50’s pop and British Invasion classic rock of the 60’s. Their sound
feels like a wedding of **The Kinks**‘ early day panache with a **Ramones**-era 
anarchy, topped off by a good dose of **Cheap Trick**‘s legendary sassiness. China
Rats’ sound has also been compared to bands ranging from **The Beatles** to the **
Buzzcocks** to **Oasis** and the most recent wave of garage rock-influenced bands.

The band’s fast and furious pace is tied together by jangly guitar hooks and bombastic
drumming. The band only formed two years ago, but got a good deal of positive press
last summer when they filled in for **Bat For Lashes** when **Natasha Khan** and
company were unable to make it to a U.K. music festival. The members of China Rats
are **Graeme Thompson** (lead vocals/guitar), **Luke Smith** (lead guitar/vocals),**
Jedidiah Allcock** (bass/vocals) and **George Riley** (drums). The following track,“
She Never,” is one of the band’s few released tracks; it’s a hook-heavy, melodic
rocker with a catchy riff, swaying rhythm and rambunctious vocals.

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[“She Never”](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/03%20She%20Never.mp3)–**
China Rats** from _To Be Like I_ EP

A newer single, “Nip It in the Bud,” is an energetic, fast rocker with crunchy guitar
riffs. “We wanted it to sound like **The Sonics** or something, rough around the
edges,” vocalist Thompson said. “It’s got a bit of a groove to it – I’d like to 
think people could jive to it in a club or before they go out.” The band’s latest
single from the Leeds UK band, was produced with help from **Hugh Worskett** (Boxer
Rebellion, Crystal Fighters) and mixing by **Chris Sheldon** (Foo Fighters, the 
Pixies).

[“To Be Like I”](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/01%20To%20Be%20Like%20I.mp3)–**
China Rats** from _To Be Like I_ EP

[“Take No Prisoners”](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/02%20Take%20No%20Prisoners.mp3)–**
China Rats** from _To Be Like I_ EP